June 13, 2012 Vol. 91 No. 24
Swimming is the most popular recreational activity for children. Keep them safe this summer with tips from the Centers for Disease Control.
Summer Fun
IN this Issue
Summer at its best involves swimming and other water-related activities. Each year, millions of people enjoy recreational water activities such as swimming in pools, lakes, and oceans, as well as relaxing in hot tubs. The benefits of water-based exercise are numerous, but to enjoy a safe swimming experience, learn how to protect yourself and others from potential dangers. Drowning is the leading cause of injury death among children 1–4 years old. Every day, 10 people die from drowning; two of those ten are children under the age of 15 years. Of drowning victims who survive and are treated in emergency departments, more than half are hospitalized or transferred for further care. These individuals often experience brain damage that might result in long-term disabilities, including memory problems, learning disabilities, or permanent loss of basic functioning (for example, permanent vegetative state). To prevent drowning: • Everyone (adults and children) should know how to swim, • Caregivers should know CPR, • All boaters and weaker swimmers should use lifejackets, and • Backyard swimming pools should be separated from the house and yard by a fence with a self-closing and selflatching gate. If you’ve never learned to swim, now’s the time to learn. And it’s always a good time to learn CPR – CardioPulmonary Resuscitation – especially if you’ll be supervising others. Always supervise young children around water. (Tip: stay close enough to reach a child at all times and avoid distractions such as playing cards, reading a book, or talking on the phone.) Drownings happen quickly, and usually silently. Avoid alcohol while supervising children and before or during swimming, boating, or waterskiing. Prevent water-related injuries and drowning by swimming with a buddy and swimming Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4 Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
where there’s a lifeguard. And always use life jackets and secure personal flotation devices – do not substitute air-filled or foam toys for safety gear. When enjoying natural bodies of water, be aware of the local weather conditions and forecast. Strong winds and thunderstorms with lightning can be dangerous. Also watch for dangerous waves and signs of rip tides/currents. Also know and obey the posted warnings. For example, beaches often have different colored flags (red, yellow, green) to indicate beach conditions. Pay attention to lifeguards or posted instructions. RWI Prevention You share the water you swim in with everyone who enters the pool. Contrary to popular belief, chlorine does not kill germs instantly. Once germs get in the pool, it can take anywhere from minutes to days for chlorine to kill them. Swallowing just a little water that contains these germs can make you sick with a recreational water illness (RWI). RWIs include a wide variety of infections, such as gastrointestinal, skin, ear, respiratory, eye, neurologic, and wound infections. Learn & Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Movie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
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The most commonly reported RWI is diarrhea caused by germs such as Crypto (short for Cryptosporidium), Giardia, Shigella, norovirus and E. coli O157:H7. With the number of RWI outbreaks on the rise, swimmers need to take an
active role in helping to protect themselves and prevent the spread of germs. The simple steps below can help you protect yourself and other swimmers from germs in the water you swim in. See SUMMER FUN page 16
Movie Talk
See Movie page 9
“Prometheus” - Photo courtesy of 20th Century Fox
Joe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Shelly Schneider . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Recipe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
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What’s Happening . . . . . . . . . 12-13 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14-15
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